Reform and the Greens are expected to make stunning gains in this week's elections. But will either party be ready to develop coherent and credible policies - in line with their very different values - by the time of the general election? It is the phase in the electoral cycle that is the toughest challenge of the lot.

To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com

You can get the last few remaining tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special next week at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Charles delivered a perfectly pitched speech in Congress, with many barely coded messages. But will Trump, charmed by royalty, change his attitude to the elected government in the UK or to those in the rest of Europe? Plus Morgan McSweeney, Peter Mandelson, and the build up to the 2024 election.

To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com

You can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here. And hurry, there are just a few left.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With another prime minister fighting for his political life, some commentators argue that the job has become impossible. Since 2016 there have been six prime ministers. But is the context suddenly impossibly challenging, or is that an excuse for weak or poor leadership?

To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com

You can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics – The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we in the final days of Starmer’s leadership, or is no potential successor ready to make a move?

Rock & Roll Politics is live at the Cambridge Literary Festival this Saturday at 8pm. Tickets on the festival website.

Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special is live at Kings Place on Monday May 11th. Tickets here.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Starmer deliberately mislead parliament? No. Did Starmer make a terrible misjudgement in appointing Mandelson with a casual detachment? Yes. This was the plot of the first episode of this dark saga. It is also the plot of the latest eruption in the long running series, with many episodes to come.

To join in the never-ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com

The next Rock & Roll Politics live show will be at the Cambridge Literary Festival this Saturday, April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is no money, the economy is barely growing, the war in Iran will cost billions in Britain and there are demands on spending across public services. Yet there is a noisy clamour for huge increases in defence spending. Are the calls for defence to be a priority at the expense of all other demands justified? And what will be the legacies of a landslide Labour government if the investment priority is defence?

To join in the never ending debate in the Rock & Roll Politics co-operative, email steveric14@icloud.com

The next Rock & Roll Politics live show will be at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Hungary’s general election the seemingly invincible Viktor Orban has suffered a heavy defeat. But are there any significant lessons for exposing the weaknesses of Reform and other right wing parties in Europe?

The next Rock & Roll Politics live show will be at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month marks the fiftieth anniversary since James Callaghan became prime minister. There were many dramas punctuating his short rule in Number 10, but throughout the storms Callaghan showed skilfully how to manage his cabinets.

Arguably his leadership marked the final phase of ‘Cabinet Government’, but is it now returning under Keir Starmer?

To join the never ending debate, send your emails to steveric14@icloud.com

The next Rock & Roll Politics live show will be at the Cambridge Literary Festival on Saturday April 25th.

And you can get your tickets for Rock & Roll Politics -The Election Special at Kings Place in London on Monday May 11th here.

Subscribe to Patreon for live events, bonus podcasts and to get the regular podcast a day early and ad free.

Written and presented by Steve Richards.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.